Backwards...

Well it looks like for the last four years I have been buggying backwards!

It was pointed out to me on Extreme Kites that my foot pegs are pointing the wrong way...

"Nice photos, but for some reason (perhaps optical illusion) those foot pegs on your buggy look like they're on backwards..."

After a bit of discussion it appears I may have put the front fork on the wrong way and that's why the foot-pegs are wrong!

I flipped them around today...

Before - 

And after -

Extreme Kites, reviews...

The Extreme Kites forum continues to grow, there is now a reviews section and I have added some of mine...

http://www.extremekites.com.au/reviews/

Welcome to the new Extreme Kites...

All fresh and sexy -

And sign up and post to win a NASA star 3

http://www.extremekites.com.au/index.php?/topic/15197-nasa-star-3-competition/#comment-137277

It's happening...

The Extreme Kites upgrade, watch this space...

extreme kites.com.au

Video - A day at Yeepoon

Some of the Extreme Kites crew playing at Yeepoon...

A video from Rob Lukin.

Hotwire..!

Just been reading a post on hotwiring on Extreme Kites and it has got me thinking I may try this.

I've just been rummaging around the garage to see if there is anything I can use/recycle! I have found a spare safety leash which has a release and a couple of clips. If i get some webbing and shackles I maybe able to come up with something!

Looks like the sewing machine maybe coming out again!

Padding...

I have replaced the padding on my back rest as the old pool noodle wasn't really working anymore. After some advice from Extreme Kites I opted for some pipe insulation foam. I have used a couple of layers and some duct tape. Just need my wife to make a new cover for it.

Much more comfortable.

Noodle v insulation

Duct taped

needs a new cover

Buggy transport...

You'd think now that I have got the ute that I wouldn't have any issues transporting the buggy - it goes in the tub, with all the kites and associated gear without any problems and room to spare.

There has been a discussion on Extreme Kites about transporting buggys, particularly leaving them fully assemble. I usually store my buggy in the garage with the rear axle off and then into the back of the car (or ute) two nuts and bolts and the axle is on and away we go.

But I have created space in the garage so I can store the buggy with the axle on and I now have a bike rack for the back of the ute...

The buggy on the bike rack is very wobbly, would need some proper tie-downs and some other way of bracing it - without spending any money!

In the mean time it will be off with the axle and everything in the tub!

Video - Extreme Kites Yeppoon 2014

A video from Andy666 of the Extreme Kites crew...

Yeppoon 2014 from andrew venn on Vimeo.

Video - Warning may contain traces of nuts...

Another from the Extreme Kites Kingston trip...

Warning may contain traces of nuts from Clive Tebbet on Vimeo.

Video - Speed Week 2013

Another one from Clive from the Extreme Kites crew...

SPEED WEEK 2013 from Clive Tebbet on Vimeo.

"Speed week, the annual kitesports gathering at Sandy Point in Victoria Australia , attended by buggys, landboarders, surfers anyone who uses a kite to get around.this year I took a tandem buggy and both my wife and myself had a crack at entering the record books. we made it to currently the worlds 9th Fastest, at 56.2 KM/hr."

While I sit and wait for the new kite to arrive!

Video - Speed Week 2013

The Extreme Kites crew at Sandy Point, from John Holgate...

Speed Week 2013 from John Holgate on Vimeo.

Grease me up...!

Following the advice from the guys on Extreme Kites on bearing maintenance I have bought a tub of grease...

Posted by Andy666 on Extreme Kites...

"Firstly, before fitting the new bearings, repack them with marine grease. 

This gives great performance and here are the results -

Well today as I was putting my buggy back together (after flying home from sandy point) I thought screw it, I'll throw my spare set of bearing in. The old bearings still spin smooth, with no noise out of them but are extremely rusted on the outside. For interest I washed one out to have a look. I honestly couldn't believe it. Perfect!

These bearing are nearly 2yrs old and I NEVER wash my buggy, but I did take the time to pack them with marine grease before I installed them. That shit is magic.

There is another easy mod you can do to improve the seal on the bearing, to keep the sand and salt water out.

Well it basics just replicates the front wheel bearing on a PL mk2 which has a large stainless washer that extends out over the rubber seal and acts as a "slinger" or "dust shield  and helps to keep the sand away from the seal lip which is what wears it out and allows the salt water etc to get in and stuff the bearing.

There is no actual contact between the washer and the bearing seal so it won't wear it out.

The four 20mm stainless washers cost me $3 from the local bolt shop.

Original with no washer. All the sand is right in at the seal lip.

Wipe clean and smear a bit of marine grease between rubber and washer.

Refit to buggy, spin a few times and wipe off excess grease.

After 2hrs on the beach today this was the result. All the sand was stuck around the edge of the washer but none at all in at the seal lip."

I'm going to be doing this for my new bearings.

Pester-power...

It works for the kids and has occasionally worked for me, I am trying to convince my wife to let me get a 2013 Ozone Fenzy 5m that is listed on Extreme kites...

$700 - that's half price for a as new kite! I don't fancy my chances...

Love to buggy...

I just loved this post, so had to stick it on here...

"Back in '96 I was riding on Belongil beach on the north side of Byron Bay with the boys. At the time I lived opposite. It had been heavy north easter for few days, and the bluebottles had all washed up in sections on the beach. Masses of them, but all in lumps every 50 yards or so.

We buggied late afternoon in the low tide. Hot day in shorts and a T-shirt. Covered in sand and wet, my boardies flapping up around my ears, goolies hanging out flapping in the breeze. Wasn't paying to much attention ahead, and POW hit a patch of bluebottles, my trusty peter lynn mk 1 barrows shredded bluebottles into a bluebottle paste, and sprayed all up my nuts.

....i love to buggy  but beware the bluebottles."

From igeighty posted on Extreme Kites.

Team Member

I'm very excited as I am now an Extreme Kites team member (moderator)...

Deadly?

We will soon find out...

I have been lucky enough to be loaned a 3m HQ Toxic to fly and review.

What's in the beanie?

If anybody wants a free XK kites lanyard/bottle opener let me know?

Video - Yeppoon 2013 "Times like these"

Another video from the Extreme Kites crew in Yeppoon...

YEPPOON 2013 from Mark Deadman on Vimeo.

Video - Yeppoon 2013

More from the Extreme Kites crowd at Yeppoon. A great video and I love the different perspectives...

Extreme Kites, Yeppoon, Easter 2013

Some of the guys from Extreme Kites have made their way to Yeppoon, Queensland on the Coral Coast, for a couple of weeks of kiting and buggying. Looks like they have had a blast...

Not that I am jealous, I would much rather be working!

Thanks to Joel and Goz for the images - courtesy of Extreme Kites